A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Dr. William Vincent Roberts who passed away peacefully on Monday July 27 2009 at his home in Gainesville FL while holding hands with his family on Saturday August 1 2009 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church 4000 S. Atlantic Ave. New Smyrna Beach FL 32169. The family will receive friends on Friday July 31 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00pm at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond 733 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach FL. Dr. Roberts was born in Augusta GA on December 9 1920. He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 1943 and volunteered to serve in the United States Army where he was designated a Battalion Surgeon in the 1st Armored Division. He received Battle Stars while serving in Italy and Germany and returned to the United States to practice medicine where he became Chief Resident Physician while training for Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Vincent's Hospital in Jacksonville FL. Dr. Roberts married the former Sheila Mary O'Connell of Belmont MA in 1950. In 1952 he volunteered for service in the Korean conflict completed the Naval Flight Training Program in Pensacola FL and served as a Naval Flight Surgeon. He achieved a rank of Commander in 1954 and retired to inactive duty. Upon returning to civilian life he resumed private practice in ObGyn Medicine in Sanford FL delivering more than 9 000 babies. Dr. Roberts served as a Sanford City Commissioner for 6 years and Mayor of Sanford in 1968. He held positions in 10 medical societies participated actively as a leader in 22 county and city community service organizations and gave humbly of himself to numerous religious organizations including the Knights of Columbus where he ranked as a 4th Degree Knight. Dr. Roberts along with his wife Sheila received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their dedicated service to the Salvation Army. He was also instrumental in the development of All Souls Parochial School and the Sanford Nursing Home. Dr. Roberts battled several illnesses and continued the fight to re-gain his health residing independently until one month before his death. He was a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in New Smyrna Beach FL. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 59 years Sheila O'Connell Roberts of Gainesville FL; his sons: David Roberts of Belmont MA and Martin Roberts of Gainesville FL; his daughter Mary Anne Rayhab of Nashville TN. He enjoyed watching his four grandchildren growing up: Grace & Grant Roberts of Gainesville FL and David & Mitchell Roberts of Belmont MA. He also truly loved spending time with his daughters-in-law April Roberts and Linda Roberts and son-in-law Regan Rayhab. Always supportive always optimistic Dr. Roberts was a man of deep Christian faith the highest integrity quiet strength and warm loving kindness who gave all he had for his family. There was no better husband father grandfather or friend and he will be missed dearly. "Farewell until we meet again" In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dr. Roberts' honor to the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org.
Friends may send condolences to www.LohmanFuneralHomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful supervision of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.